São Paulo – Since wearing masks in public areas and workplaces became mandatory in Saudi Arabia, demand for the protection gear skyrocketed, which led to the creation of several new small enterprises, Arab News reported.
Wearing masks became mandatory in the country on May 30. The situation has provided opportunities for online stores, small businesses, families and individuals to manufacture and sell the masks.
The Arab country has introduced fines of up to SR 1,000 (USD 266) for people failing to wear face masks in public places and penalties of SR 10,000 (USD 2,666) for workplaces breaching the new coronavirus rules and precautions.
At the end of last month, the Ministry of Health provided online video and instructions on how to make face masks at home and the types of fabric to use. Arab News reported that, using these instructions and other sources, many mask production lines were created.
Entrepreneur Tulay Emel Cagatay, the founder of Tulaila’s Academy, has switched her focus from making bags and plush toys to concentrate on creating face masks. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic she donated over 200 masks, but when it became mandatory to wear the masks, her family and friends asked to buy them from her since they wanted larger quantities.
Hessah Al-Hudaithy, a financial adviser who always made clothes in her spare time, told Arab News that she has been “overwhelmed” with requests from friends and family for her home-produced masks. To date she has made 30 but is considering making more for sale.
Translated by Guilherme Miranda
